Chapter 2.2: Bad News

     Ochre was outside putting his rocket together.  He'd spent the last two summers working with his Uncle Viridian to save up money to buy the parts and now he had enough to start building.

     It was tough work but he enjoyed being out in space with his uncle on their shipping trips.  Uncle Viridian and Dad had promised that as soon as his rocket was complete they would give him flying lessons so he could test for his pilots license.  Once he had that he could start taking local jobs on his own.

     "Excuse me.  Is this the O'Malley residence?"

     Ochre turned around.  A strange sim and kid were standing outside his work fence.

     He picked up his grease rag and started wiping his hands clean.

     "Yeah.  My dad's at work but my mom's here.  Who did you want?"

     "Rachael.  Cerulean should be on his way back, I called him once we hit the city line."

     Ochre frowned.  It was unusual that a sim would talk to his dad before coming to the house.

     "Are you a Palette?" he asked.

     She nodded, "Sage Palette-Summers."

     "This way," Ochre led the way to the house.

     "Mom, you have a guest," he called from the living room.

     "I'm cooking lunch," Rachael answered.

     "Mom this is Sage.  She asked to talk with you."

     "Hello Sage.  What can I help you with?"

     "Actually, I brought some news for you.  Some bad news," she added with a nod towards the child with her.

     Rachael frowned and glanced at the child.  "Ochre can you show.." she stopped when she got to the child's name.

     "Emrys," the child said.

     "Can you show Emrys to the playroom.  We have a lot of toys that you can play with," she said to the child.

     "Sure.  C'mon," Ochre said and walked out of the kitchen with child following him.

     "This is the playroom," he said passing through the archway.  "You can play with anything in here."

     "Thank you," she said picking up the child's violin and running the bow over the strings.

     Ochre winced as he walked out of the room.  Like most kids she played with enthusiasm if not actual skill.

     Once away from the sound he could hear crying coming from the kitchen.

     He entered the room and his mom was bent over the counter crying while Sage was wringing her hands.  "I'm so very sorry," she kept repeating over and over.

     "Mom," Ochre walked up next to her, "what's wrong mom?"

     Rachael shook her head before hugging him and crying on his shoulder.  Sage stood up and left the room.

     Ochre was startled by her breakdown so he was very relieved when the front door opened and his dad came in.

     "Ray?"

     "In here dad," Ochre called.

     Cerulean entered the room and pulled his wife off his son.  He walked her around the island towards their bedroom.  Ochre watched them whispering together from where he was at.

     "What's going on?" River asked sitting at the counter.

     "I have no idea," Ochre admitted.


     Emrys walked with Aunt Sage into the living room where the two adults were waiting.

     She sat with Aunt Sage on the couch.  Aunt Sage wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her.

     "Emrys, this is your Aunt Rachael and Uncle Cerulean.  She's your mom's older sister.  They're going to take care of you now."

     "What about you," Emrys asked.

     "I have to go home and find out who killed your mom and dad," Sage said.  "You'll be safe with them."

     "Okay," Emrys said looking down at her hands.

                                                                                            

Random Ramblings

   Jeez,  my heart is breaking for poor Emrys.  She's got a good future in store for her though, I promise it gets better.  Maybe just not right away though. :p

   Oh and how is the view point change from Emrys to Ochre and back?  Does it make sense.  This is the first time I've tried to do that in a story, so some feedback would be appreciated.